Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MARCHING (AS SEEN FROM THE LEFT FILE) by ISAAC ROSENBERG

Poet Analysis

First Line: MY EYES CATCH RUDDY NECKS
Last Line: ON STRONG EYES.
Subject(s): SOLDIERS; SOLDIERS' WRITINGS; WORLD WAR I; FIRST WORLD WAR;
(AS SEEN FROM THE LEFT FILE).

My eyes catch ruddy necks
Sturdily pressed back --
All a red-brick moving glint.
Like flaming pendulums, hands
Swing across the khaki --
Mustard-coloured khaki --
To the automatic feet.

We husband the ancient glory
In these bared necks and hands.
Not broke is the forge of Mars;
But a subtler brain beats iron
To shoe the hoofs of death
(Who paws dynamic air now).
Blind fingers loose an iron cloud
To rain immortal darkness
on strong eyes.




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